Usher leads one Whale of a run
WEST BRIDGEWATER — After two quarters, Nantucket and West Bridgewater were as evenly matched as two teams could be. Then the second half started.
Nantucket, led by the uncontainable duo of Devonte Usher and Victor Gamberoni, poured in 21 straight points yesterday to put a stamp on its 35-21 victory against West Bridgewater in a Mayflower League showdown.
The Nantucket tailbacks combined for 217 yards on 17 carries out of the triple option. Usher scored three touchdowns in his first action of the season.
“They did the same things they usually do, they just had different people,” said West Bridgewater coach Bill Panos. “We had people in the right places but they weren’t making the plays. Nantucket’s blocking kept our contain at the line of scrimmage and those guys could just run around (defenders).”
Nantucket (2-2) collected some momentum for the thirdquarter outburst before halftime. Midway through the second, the Whalers took advantage of a WB high snap on a punt attempt, allowing senior Keagan Downey to return the loose ball and level the score at 14.
Three minutes into the third quarter, Usher delivered a key blow by pinballing off a pair of defenders before coasting to a 31-yard score. Moments later, Gamberoni rumbled for a 34yard touchdown run and 28-14 advantage.
With eight minutes left, West Bridgewater (3-1) went to its bag of tricks but Cameron Bartlett was ready for the fake punt pass, corralling an interception for Nantucket’s takeaway.
Moments later, Usher sealed things by taking a handoff and coasting down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown.
“Usher is an athlete and can score from anywhere on the field on offense or defense,” Nantucket coach Joe Perry said. “Between Gamberoni and Usher that gives you one heck of a one-two punch.”
West Bridgewater ended its day on a positive note as Christian Keeling scored on a 1-yard plunge to snap Nantucket’s 28-0 run.
WB’s Benjamin Skinner (seven catches, 163 yards) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Matt Lavoie.